Ms. Foundation on Sexual Assault Awareness Month

NEW YORK (April 1, 2020) - Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement on Sexual Assault Awareness Month:

"Today we recognize the beginning of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, dedicated to the awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. While movements like #MeToo have increased the amount of reported sexual assault crimes in the United States, we still have a long way to go to guarantee protection for all.

"These risks have been thrown to the forefront of the national conversation in recent weeks, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the changes we have made to the way we live, work, learn, and socialize. While social distancing is the right policy to keep the country healthy, many have been forced to stay at home and self-isolate with their abusers -- making a situation that is already a challenge a nightmare.

Ms. Foundation grantee-partners like Women with A Vision (WWAV) in New Orleans who are providing assistance for people qurantined with their abusers, are on the front lines of sexual assault and domestic abuse, and their work does not stop in the face of a pandemic.

"The Ms. Foundation for Women and our grantee partners remain dedicated to ensuring everyone, regardless of race, immigration status, sexuality, gender identity, and more, is safe from violence of any kind."

Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or video from NYC. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].

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For 45 years, the Ms. Foundation for Women has worked to build women's collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. The Ms. Foundation invests in, and strengthens the capacity of women led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural, and economic change in the lives of women. With equity and inclusion as the cornerstones of true democracy, the Ms. Foundation works to create a world in which the worth and dignity of every person are valued, and power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.